Actualités

Roger Canaca, now 39 years old and living in Switzerland with his wife and children, tells us about his journey with Casa Alianza in Guatemala and Honduras.

More than 20 years ago, on a busy avenue in Guatemala City, a vulnerable Honduran teenager was identified by the street outreach team at Casa Alianza Guatemala. Sitting on a sidewalk with no money and no prospects, Roger Canaca was only 13 years old when he left his home country to migrate to the United States. Like many children from Central America, he fled the lack of opportunities in Honduras amid high levels of migration. Upon arriving in Guatemala City, the hardships of the journey forced him to stop, and he found himself alone on the streets, trying to survive.

Now 39 years old, Roger recalls his first encounter with Casa Alianza: “They offered me water, food, and a safe place. I was wary—I’d been taught not to trust anyone. But there was something different about them.” He later moved into the Casa Alianza residence in Guatemala City, where, for the first time in his life, he had a bed, hot meals, medical care, and psychological support.

Unlike other young people taken in by the organization—who were often affected by substance abuse or had spent many years on the streets—Roger did not pose a serious risk. His greatest challenge was emotional neglect and the absence of a family structure.

“In just a few days, I received everything I’d never had in 13 years: hygiene, food, attention, and affection. A psychologist saw me—I’d never met one before. It was like starting to live,” Roger says. At Casa Alianza, he began a process of reintegration and personal development that would completely redefine the course of his life.

Roger celebrated his 15th birthday at Casa Alianza Guatemala. After five months, he asked to return to his home country. Casa Alianza Guatemala then arranged for his transfer, along with that of two other Honduran children, to Honduras. “I also remember that the staff at Casa Alianza Honduras came all the way to the border to pick us up.”

One of Roger’s greatest motivations was discovering the world of computer science. “I had never even touched a computer. Carolina Hernandez, who taught the computer science classes, taught me everything from scratch. She inspired me so much that I decided to pursue a degree in arts and sciences with a focus on computer science.” The access to education provided by Casa Alianza sparked a growing curiosity in him about other cultures. “Thanks to the volunteers, I became interested in languages, geography, and the stories they brought with them. Without them, I probably would never have dreamed of living outside my country.”

During his stay at Casa Alianza Guatemala, Roger met Pierre, a Swiss volunteer. This encounter was pivotal, as it sparked a deep motivation in him to become a better person by listening to the educational staff and following the rules. “One day, I’ll go to Switzerland,” Roger would tell himself. Eventually, that dream came true.

Roger now lives in Switzerland with his wife and their two daughters. Today, he continues to pass on and preserve the values he learned at Casa Alianza within his own family. “The values I didn’t receive from my family, I received here. The songs, the crafts, the good habits… I’m passing all of that on to my daughters.”

Today, his life is marked by gratitude. But beyond his personal experience, Roger wanted to amplify this impact. In Spain, he and his wife founded an organization dedicated to supporting the children of migrant mothers from various countries. For five years, they provided support, cultural enrichment, and a sense of belonging to dozens of young people. “It was our little Casa Alianza,” he says.

Years after leaving the institution, Roger feels a deep need to return. “Every time I come to Honduras, I stop by Casa Alianza. It’s still my home. Coming back, seeing the caregivers, spending time with the children—it’s like reconnecting with my roots.” For Roger, the message is clear: “It’s worth supporting programs like Casa Alianza. Because they don’t just transform lives—they transform entire futures.” And he concludes with a wish that reflects the spirit of the organization: “I hope that one day Casa Alianza will close its doors—not because it has failed in its mission, but because there will no longer be any children on the streets who need it.”

To help children gain access to better opportunities, just as Roger did, your support is essential. Support them by making a donation to Casa Alianza Switzerland. On their behalf, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.